![]() Truth is, only 15 to 25 percent of furries actually own a fursuit, and among them even fewer find it kinky. Think furries get turned on by wearing fursuits? Again, not the case. In fact, when Plante's studies allowed him to analyze furries based on various wellness measures, he found furries are just as satisfied with their lives as non-furries, they have healthy relationships, and they're no more likely to be on psychiatric medication or diagnosed with anxiety or mood disorders. Some just watch their favorite cartoons regularly, and for others, their identity as a furry comes down to online messaging other fans about, say, Rocket, a cartoon raccoon from the Guardians of the Galaxy films. Most engage in the fandom by anthropomorphizing their favorite characters or imagining adventures for their fursonas through drawings and art. For others, their reason for joining the fandom is to fulfill a sense of belonging. While stereotypical images of furries in media depict them as socially awkward people, research suggests furries are simply expressing passion for a hobby and interacting with others who share that interest. The usual conclusion is “either this person has some serious mental health problems, or this person is doing it for some kind of sexual gratification,” he says. People often can’t figure out why someone would invent an animal persona, or as it’s called in the fandom, a “fursona” (think: a fox for whom you’ve developed a personality, name, voice, and mannerisms), or dress up as their favorite animal cartoon character, Plante says, so they invent explanations. This is where the stigma surrounding the furry fandom comes in. “Whenever we see someone acting in an unusual way, we have an innate need to try and understand why they’re doing that,” explains Plante. Furries are not dysfunctional or socially awkward Since there are a lot of misconceptions out there about furries, allow an expert and an actual furry to debunk them once and for all with nine must-know facts. Still, the furry fandom is constantly poked fun at in movies, TV shows, the works. Participating in the furry community is really no different from supporting your favorite sports team by painting your face and wearing its jersey, engaging in cosplay, or wearing a Slytherin scarf because you love the Harry Potter films, says Plante, who’s studied more than 30,000 furries over the past decade. If this sounds simple, it’s because it is. ![]() They’re fans of “films, stories, and artwork that feature animals walk, talk, and do human things.” “Furries are fans, just like anyone else,” says Courtney Plante, PhD, professor of psychology at Bishop's University and co-founder and lead data analyst for FurScience. If you geek out over movie characters or famous bands, or if you’ve ever done something as simple as invite your friends over to watch The Bachelor, you have more in common with furries than you think.
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